Engorgement questions..

So I bought a Medela breast pump, it is for both breasts and I have read up on it.

I tried very hard to breastfeed with Jacob, he had a sucking issue we didn't find out about until 4 months old. But My milk came in but Iwas so full of milk and it just wouldn't let down at all.

I am so worried this is gonna happen again. Jacob was getting dehyrdated and I had to give him formula and then I just gave up. This time I know if that is happening I can just give some formula but still breastfeed, I didnt' know this before.

I think the 2nd time will be easier but I am still really nervous and want to know as much as I can.

Do any of you who have breastfed have any tips for me?

I know the latch is iimportant and getting past the first week or 2 is the hardest.

I have large breasts and they are gonna be so full of milk, I just want to keep them from getting so hard and the milk not letting down that I quit again.

Any encouragment or tips is great! Thank you all.

Warm cloth or warm shower if they become so full, it'll help with the let down and relieve some of that stress.

I agree with the shower...that worked best for me.

Thanks ladies.


for those of you who breastfed do you think that it is normal to get that full and them to be so hard?


Or is there anny chance I am not gonna have this happen this time.

The warm wash cloth and shower are good ideas, and with Andrew I also had to pump a couple ounces out of each side BEFORE each feeding, so he could latch on. If I wasn't at home and didn't have my pump, I'd just go in the bathroom and hand express a little. It wasn't as bad with Alison, and I definitely wasn't any smaller that time around! I just didn't have as much of an over supply.

Totally normal ~ mine were like that for about a month after Andrew was born. I couldn't get him to latch on at all in the first few days, until I started pumping before hand! I remember crying and crying in the middle of the night because he couldn't latch on and eat because I was so engorged.

Yep, I had to hand express a little to soften them up right before I fed Waylon. It lasted about a month. To help with let down, just really focus on the baby when he latches on -- watch his face, really feel the sucking motions, connect as best you can. That will really help you let down.
Also, visit the kellymomdotcom website - full of great info!